terribly well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'terribly well' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is usually used as an intensifier to suggest something was done well, but to an exceptional degree. For example, "The students performed terribly well on their final exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it's terribly well intentioned.

Independent

I'm not terribly well read.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our mission isn't going terribly well.

The New York Times

Not terribly well, by our lights.

The New York Times

His efforts did not go terribly well.

The New York Times

This has not served anyone terribly well.

The Guardian - Opinion

That didn't work terribly well for us.

Harvard Business Review

"I'm not terribly well," she said.

The Guardian - Books

But it didn't go terribly well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's not a terribly well-known period".

The New York Times - Science

What may not have been a terribly well-kept secret still felt unexpected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly well" to add emphasis when describing a surprisingly or exceptionally good performance. It works best when the 'terrible' aspect contrasts with the 'well' to create a unique effect.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overusing "terribly well" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly well" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to intensify the degree to which an action is performed successfully. It indicates a surprisingly high level of competence or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Terribly well" functions as an adverbial phrase to express that something was done exceptionally well, often surpassing expectations. While grammatically sound and common in various contexts—particularly in News & Media, as shown by Ludwig—it is crucial to use it judiciously to avoid repetition. More formal alternatives like "exceptionally well" or "remarkably well" might be preferred in highly formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase, emphasizing its role as an intensifier. Be aware that, depending on the tone and context, this expression can be used sarcastically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally well

Replaces "terribly" with "exceptionally", suggesting an outstanding level of performance.

remarkably well

Substitutes "terribly" with "remarkably", indicating a noteworthy or surprising degree of success.

extremely well

Uses "extremely" in place of "terribly", emphasizing a very high degree of competence.

incredibly well

Replaces "terribly" with "incredibly", conveying a sense of amazement at the level of success.

outstandingly well

Substitutes "terribly" with "outstandingly", highlighting the exceptional nature of the performance.

particularly well

Emphasizes the distinction of performing something better than the norm.

impressively well

Replaces "terribly" with "impressively", highlighting the admirable nature of the performance.

surprisingly well

Suggests the action performed was better than expected.

very competently

Uses "very competently" to convey the same meaning, focusing on the skill involved.

highly effectively

Replaces "terribly well" to emphasize the effectiveness of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly well" in a sentence?

Use "terribly well" to emphasize that something was done to a surprisingly high standard, such as, "She handled the crisis "terribly well", exceeding all expectations".

What are some alternatives to "terribly well"?

You can use alternatives like "exceptionally well", "remarkably well", or "extremely well" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "terribly well" formal or informal?

"Terribly well" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in neutral to informal settings. In very formal writing, consider alternatives like "exceptionally well" or "remarkably well".

Can "terribly well" be used sarcastically?

Yes, the phrase "terribly well" can be used sarcastically to imply something was not done well, but the tone and context must make this clear. For example, "He managed the project "terribly well", resulting in complete chaos."